Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. Receives National Award for Outstanding Community Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Published: September 21, 2012

[Anchorage – September 20, 2012] – Six Community Action Agencies (CAAs) from across the country including the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) have received the 2012 Community Economic Development Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award from the Community Action Partnership.* The six winning agencies—who were recently honored at the Partnership’s 2012 Annual Convention in New York—are part of a national network that provides services and programs to local low-income people and families.

Since its inception in 2010, the award showcases CAAs that spearhead and manage outstanding community development projects as a focal point for promoting economic security and reducing poverty. There are six categories: Community Revitalization and Investment, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate Development, Protégé, and Master Innovator. “The impact of these innovative programs is significant as they are helping to build strong, economically stable communities even as the impact of the recession lingers,” said Stacy Flowers, the Partnership’s Director of Community Economic Development.” “They are truly an example of how Community Action helps people and changes lives.”

RurAL CAP was selected as the winner in the Entrepreneurship category for Rural Energy Enterprises. REE is a wholesale distributor of energy-efficient heating and lighting products. As a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary of the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) REE’s mission is “to ethically make a profit for RurAL CAP with substantial growth. REE promotes energy-efficient and environmentally-responsible products and services that delight its customers.” “Our program has been extremely instrumental in helping vulnerable people in our community achieve financial stability and improve their lives,” said David Hardenbergh, Executive Director of RurAL CAP.

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP), founded in 1965, is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans.

*Based in Washington, DC, the Community Action Partnership provides training and other services to more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies across America that are helping low-income people and families improve their lives, strengthen their communities and embody the spirit of hope.